Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 1 (1843).djvu/68

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.
40
Birds.
Knot, Tringa Canutus Common Gull, Larus canus
*Pigmy Curlew, Tringa subarquata *Lesser black-backed Gull, Larus futeus
Dunlin or Oxbird, Tringa alpina *Herring Gull, Larus argentatus
*Least Sandpiper or Stint, Tringa minuta *Masked Gull, Chroicocephalus capistratus.
*Sanderling, Armaria calidris

One specimen of this rare bird in
company with a small flock of the
common Tern; now alive, and in
my possession

*Red-necked Phalarope, Lobipes hyperborea
Turnstone, Strepsilas interpres
Redshank, Totanus calidris
Green Sandpiper, Totanus ocropus Hooded Gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus
Common Sandpiper, Totanus hypoleucos Sandwich Tern, Sterna Cantiaca
*Coot, Fulica atra Common Tern, Sterna marina
*Red-throated Diver, Colymbus septentri- Lesser Tern, Sterna minuta
onalis. In adult plumage *Widgeon, Mareca Penelope, 1 specimen
*Arctic Skua, young, Lestris parasiticus? only

I have named the birds from Eyton's Catalogue; of those marked with a * I have only one or two specimens, the rest were all common.—Fred. Bond; Kingsbury, Middlesex, December, 1842.

Note on the Red-backed Shrike, (Lanius Collurio). Mr. Selby mentions having seen a hedge-accentor impaled on a thorn by the great ash-coloured shrike (L. Excubitor); and several foreign species of shrike have been observed in the act of seizing their prey: but I am not aware that L. Collurio has been seen doing this, although large insects, which appear to be its usual food, have been frequently found impaled. It is not uncommon in Devonshire and other southern counties, and I once found on the cliffs at Teignmouth (a placefrequented by the bird), a tiger moth (Eyprepia villica) and several large flies (Eristalis) stuck on thorns. —W.R. Hall Jordan; Teignmouth, November 12, 1842.

Note on the Grey Shrike, (Lanius Excubitor). An individual of this species, which I had in confinement for a long time, invariably hung its food round the cage; if half a dozen birds were put in, it hung them all up by forcing their heads between the wires of the cage, and pieces of meat were also fastened up. I never saw the red-backed shrike, impale insects, nor do 1 recollect ever to have found any impaled, here, although the bird is not at all uncommon.—Henry Doubleday; Epping, December, 1843.

Note on the Hawfinch, (Coccothraustes vulgaris). This bird, although pretty common in some localities, seems very partially distributed in England, and there is something a little remarkable in its habits. In the winter of 1835 and spring of 1836, they were extremely common in the forest, associating in large flocks, and feeding upon the seeds of the hornbeam, which were very abundant. In the spring of 1837 I saw fewer birds, and the seed was not abundant, I mean the